A massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq has left at least 60 people dead and 11 others missing, the city's health authorities and two police sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames engulfing a five-story building in al-Kut overnight, while firefighters were trying to contain the fire.
Reuters could not independently verify the videos.
"We have compiled a list of 59 victims whose identities have been confirmed, but one body was so badly burned that it has been extremely difficult to identify," a city health official told Reuters.
"We have more bodies that have not been recovered still under fire debris," city official Ali al-Mayahi told Reuters.
Cause of fire remains unknown
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, INA reported.
"We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall," INA quoted the governor as saying.